Mount Olive Chronicle Sports Section

Jr. Laxers stay competitive in Elite Tournament play

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 1:53 PM EST

Brandyn Merkle, goalie for the Mount Olive Junior Lacrosse Club, plays in Saturday’s tournament game.

MOUNT OLIVE TWP. — The Mount Olive Junior Lacrosse Club (MOJLC) fielded two tournament teams at the Third Annual Fall Finale held at Mercer County Park on Saturday, Nov. 10.

The combined fifth and sixth grade team coached by John Goula and an eighth grade team coached by Garry Merkle, demonstrated skill competing against teams from Baltimore, New York, and New Jersey.

The teams’ tournament entrance fees were sponsored by Ath-Ed lacrosse run by John and Linda Gallucci.

The Junior Marauder varsity team finished with a two and two record beating NYLA from Locust Valley, N.Y., 5-4, and Baltimore Elite, 11-4.

The team lost 12-11 in overtime against two Knights Lacrosse squads, an elite club from Somerset, and 6-8 against the Branchburg Barrage. Connor Buoye scored 14 of the team’s 32 goals with additional scores by Richie Notillo (2), Jimmy Pastena (2), Tyler McEvoy (6), Tyler Hanson (5), and Ryan Shakespeare (3).

Brandyn Merkle had a 77 percent save percentage in goal with 36 saves. His efforts in goal were assisted by a strong defensive line of Nick Verrone and Alex Falvey.

The grade five and six team won their first match-up 10-2 against NYLA.

They lost to Long Valley, Clark, and High Lakes. The team was led by Anthony Colabello in goal. Other standouts were Travis Gerdes, John Goula, Jr., Ian Spitzer, Anthony Verrone, Micheal Melda, Ryan Choziak, Brenden Giles, and Joseph Cinelli.

For the 2008 season, MOJLC will field a boys’ team at every grade level from four to eight. A clinic level team will also be offered for boys in grades two and three.

The club is accepting on-line registrations at www.mojlc.org or. Forms can be downloaded and submitted to P.O. Box 743, Flanders, N.J. 07836.

A final in-person registration is also scheduled for 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 17, at the Mount Olive municipal building cafeteria. Teams are filling fast and will close at 25 participants.

For information, call Heather Merkle at (973) 584-7525 or e-mail at lacrosse@mojlc.org.